Pointless Raiders still battling

ROMFORD, UK – Despite a much improved showing this weekend, EPL outfit Romford Raiders remain pointless following the first four games of the season.

In last weekend’s season opener the Raiders succumbed 6-1 to a surprisingly strong Swindon Wildcats team, featuring former Romford favourite Jan Krajicek, before being narrowly beaten 5-3 by Sheffield Scimitars in their first home game of the season. Going into this weekend, the new-look Raiders team looked to be up against it with fixtures against Milton Keynes Lightning and EPL new-boys Basingstoke Bison, both of whom are predicted to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. However, Romford produced their best performance of the season so far against the skilled and unbeaten Lightning side. At the end of the second period the score was tied at 2-2, with youngster Joe Allen scoring on his Raiders debut, and experienced Brit Darren Cotton adding the second on the powerplay. A third-period goal from MK’s Grant McPherson proved to be the difference as Lightning edged the hard-fought game 3-2. Raiders coach, Jesse Hammill, said: “We played a great away game and I believe we did well enough to get a point at least. Unfortunately we made 3 big personal mistakes and it cost us the game, and again we are failing to score when the opportunity presents itself, but as a whole we are getting there.” Hammill also had special praise for Frankie Harvey and Joe Allen, two youngsters who normally play for Romford’s ENL2 team, Romford Fury. Both players stepped up to play for the Raiders against Milton Keynes and bagged themselves a point each. Hammill said: “The two boys did a great job and added a different option to our game, and they will have a bigger part to play as the season moves forward.” Against former Elite League side Basingstoke Bison, Raiders again went close, and were level at 1-1 after the second period. New import Ondrej Lauko opened the scoring for Bison, before young Romford forward Dean Tonks tied it up. However Basingstoke’s class and superior powerplay shone through in the end as they won 6-1, with the impressive Lauko grabbing a hat-trick. Hammill commented: “We matched a potential league winner for 50 minutes before we ran into penalty trouble and lost our way a bit. Overall we played 110 out of 120 minutes this weekend and lost two games which shows you have to be on for the full 120 to ensure success. There are many areas that need improvement, and they are being addressed as we speak.” Hammill also spoke of Romford’s new import forwards, Kamil Vavra and Dallas Costanzo, following criticism from a minority of fans over their ability to put up points. He said: “They are getting there but we need to ensure that we are leading the line for us. There are further improvements that have to be made and they will happen!” Jesse finished on positive note: “I am doing all I can to bring success to Romford. Don’t count us out yet, there is far more still to come!” Raiders will look to pick up their first points next weekend when they face title-challengers Guildford Flames and Manchester Phoenix. Contact the author dave.lambert@prohockeynews.com